Unfortunately, there’s a lot that needs to be done before baby comes.  I wish there was a way around it, but babies (as absolutely enjoyable as they are) require a lot of preparation.

I know it’s easy to want to “take it easy” during pregnancy, but I would definitely suggest using this time to get as much done on your baby list as you can.  No need to work yourself into the ground, but it is a lot easier to get things done while pregnant than it is once baby is here.

So what needs to get done?  Below are some things to consider.

For Mama…

Appointments

It’s a lot harder (not impossible, but harder) to get personal care items done with a baby.  Things like doctor and dentist appointments, haircuts, and manicures take on a whole new dynamic when you have a cute little sidekick to consider. If you can get the bulk of these tasks done beforehand, the less you’ll need to worry about later.

Food

If you’re like me, you won’t be up to cooking much after baby is born.  I found it helpful to stock my fridge, freezer, and pantry with easy-prep and ready-to-eat meals and snacks.

Laundry

If you need to catch up on laundry, now is the time.  Make sure everyone in the household has plenty of clean clothes.  If you need to buy extra outfits to reduce how often you’re doing laundry., do it!

Guest Accommodations

Do you have someone who will stay with you while you’re recovering from delivery?  Get their space ready beforehand!

Hygiene

It may be difficult to shower postpartum.  How can you make this process easier for yourself? 

Do you need to buy a shower caddy to ensure all of your essentials are easy to access?  Do you need to reorganize or deep clean your bathroom?  Do you need to buy a shower stool?

Besides, considering the questions above, I would highly recommend putting together a postpartum kit.  It makes things so much easier when all of your postpartum essentials are well stocked and within reach.

Birth Education

There are so many options for birth education these days, from in-person to virtual classes. 

Do a little research because you will find some variation in price and which topics are covered.

I considered taking a virtual birth class, but ended up taking one offered by my hospital.  It was affordable, in-person (so I could ask questions), and came with an included hospital tour.

Lactation Education

Likewise, I suggest taking a breastfeeding class, getting a private consultation, or meeting with your hospital’s lactation specialist.  There’s definitely a learning curve with breastfeeding, so it can be very helpful to get professional advice.  Some birth classes include a breastfeeding segment, while others don’t.  Regardless of what is available to you, WIC and La Leche League have amazing resources for FREE!

Make a Birth Plan

There’s a lot to consider when creating a birth plan.  Do you want medication; what types and when?  Do you want to be coached?  Is it okay for the doctor to perform an assisted birth?  Do you want to be walking around during labor or resting?  What is your husband’s or partner’s role? 

I would recommend reading example birth plans to understand what options exist.  Next, discussions with an OB or midwife can be very helpful in determining which options are plausible (this may depend on hospital or birth center policies).  Finally, you can decide what’s most important to you.

Knowing what your top priorities are is important, BUT remember, labor and delivery are not events you can really predict.  There’s always going to be things that are unexpected and unplanned.  For this reason, I recommend focusing on the BIG picture instead of trying to plan every little detail.

You can have a 10 page birth plan…or you can keep things simple.  Personally, I’m a fan of a simple birth plan!  A simple plan will make it easier on hospital staff and your support people to understand your priorities.

Hospital Packing List

Along with your birth plan, it will be helpful to make your hospital packing list ahead of time.  Not only will you want to consider what you’ll want for a comfortable stay, but also what your partner and baby will need. 

Looking at sample packing lists is a great place to start when creating your own.

For Baby…

Setting Up the Nursery

This is one area you could actually wait on.  As long as the essentials are covered, you can rest easy.  A finished nursery is nice, but baby won’t notice if the pictures aren’t hung up yet or there’s no decor. 

So instead focus on:

Sleeping

Baby needs a place to sleep.  Are you going to have baby in a crib, bassinet, or co-sleep?  It doesn’t need to be fancy, just safe. 

Eating

If you are going to breastfeed, then order your breast pump and have it ready (washed and set up) before baby comes.  Unfortunately, I didn’t have my pump ready when I got home from the hospital, which added unnecessary stress to my postpartum self.

Bathing

Are you going to bathe baby in a baby tub or do sponge baths?  As long as you are careful with baby’s belly button and aren’t bathing baby too often (to protect their skin) either one is a good option.

My hospital gave my baby a really thorough sponge bath before discharge, so I didn’t feel the need to bathe her again for the first week.  When I finally gave her a bath at home it was in a baby tub.  This worked really well for me.

Diapers

You will want at least one diaper changing station set up and ready to go.  This will include a changing table, pad, or towel; wipes; diaper creams; and diapers.  You want all the diaper supplies gathered, and easily accessible.

If you have a larger house or multiple levels, consider having more than one changing station so you don’t have to move as much during recovery.

Besides the diaper supplies listed above, you’ll also want a diaper pail or two.  The type of pail will depend on budget and personal preference, but will also depend on whether your baby will be formula fed or breastfed.  I was interested to learn that breastfed babies tend to have very mild smelling poo (this was certainly the case with my baby).  So we used a regular trashcan for the first several months.

Transportation

Usually, the hospital won’t let you leave without verifying baby is buckled into their car seat, nice and safe. 

Personally, I found using a lightweight, baby carrier (the kind that clips in and out of the car with minimal effort) to be easiest.  However, once my baby gained enough weight, it became cumbersome to use a carrier.  At that point, I switched to a more comfortable car seat (that just stays in the car) and ditched the carrier.

Baby Clothes

You’ll want to have your baby clothes laundered, sorted by size, and put away.  You’ll be doing LOTS of baby laundry initially, so getting off to a good start will be helpful.

Baby Shower

I would recommend you have the baby shower in the second trimester.  Why?  Ideally, you’ll be feeling your best…hopefully your morning sickness is not as intense, your energy will have a natural increase, and you won’t be far enough along to feel the intense discomfort of the third trimester.

Additionally, holding a baby shower in the second trimester will give you time to open, sort, and get all the gifts ready for baby.  Clothes should be laundered, toys washed, and the crib and stroller set up before they’re used.  Don’t forget to get those thank you cards written and delivered!